Comparison

Private Pilot Test Prep vs Instrument Pilot Test Prep

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Private Pilot Test Prep

Prepare for your FAA written test with this comprehensive study tool. It offers three modes: study questions by topic with detailed explanations, review using flashcards, and take full-length practice tests. Track your progress with detailed reports.

Highlights
  • Study questions by topic
  • Custom review sessions
  • Detailed answer explanations
  • Flashcard review mode
  • Simulated practice tests
  • Progress reports
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Sporty's Study Buddy will prepare you for the FAA written test like no other study tool available with three modes of operation. Test material is expertly organized into categories based on subject matter and includes, questions, answers, correct answers, and detailed explanations. • STUDY QUESTIONS BY TOPIC • Learning Mode allows you to create custom review sessions by selecting exactly which categories you want to review. Each session randomly generates the question order, and provides instant feedback based on your answer selection. Each question also provides a detailed description as to why each answer is right or wrong. These explanations were developed by Sporty’s team of Master CFI’s, based on their experience preparing students for the Private Pilot certificate • REVIEW QUESTION FLASHCARDS • Flashcard mode tests your knowledge by allowing you to only see the question without the answer choices. After answering the question mentally, you can then select to show the correct answer, and self-grade your progress along the way. This is a great feature that keeps you from being distracted by incorrect answers! • TAKE PRACTICE TESTS • Test mode randomly generates a 60-question session from the entire database of published FAA test questions, simulating the real Private Pilot test. After answering all the questions, you’ll be given instant results, and have the option to review either all the questions, or just missed questions. Included in the review session are the same detailed explanations for why each answer is right or wrong. •PROGRESS REPORTS• After completing each test your results are saved in the app's Progress Report section, where you can review previous scores and and a detailed history of each question and answer selection. You can also pause a partially-completed session, and resume it at a later time here.

About

Instrument Pilot Test Prep

Prepare for your FAA Instrument Pilot written test with a comprehensive study tool. It offers three modes: study questions by topic, review using flashcards, and take simulated practice tests. Detailed explanations and progress reports help you track your learning.

Highlights
  • Study questions by topic
  • Customizable review sessions
  • Flashcard mode for knowledge testing
  • Simulated 60-question practice tests
  • Detailed explanations for answers
  • Progress reports and test history
  • High-resolution FAA figures and legends
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Sporty's Study Buddy will prepare you for the FAA Instrument Pilot written test like no other study tool available with three modes of operation. Test material is expertly organized into categories based on subject matter and includes, questions, answers, correct answers, and detailed explanations. • STUDY QUESTIONS BY TOPIC • Learning Mode allows you to create custom review sessions by selecting exactly which categories you want to review. Each session randomly generates the question order, and provides instant feedback based on your answer selection. Each question also provides a detailed description as to why each answer is right or wrong. These explanations were developed by Sporty’s team of Master CFI’s, based on their experience preparing students for the Instrument Rating. • REVIEW QUESTION FLASHCARDS • Flashcard mode tests your knowledge by allowing you to only see the question without the answer choices. After answering the question mentally, you can then select to show the correct answer, and self-grade your progress along the way. This is a great feature that keeps you from being distracted by incorrect answers! • TAKE PRACTICE TESTS • Test mode randomly generates a 60-question session from the entire database of published FAA test questions, simulating the real Instrument Pilot test. After answering all the questions, you’ll be given instant results, and have the option to review either all the questions, or just missed questions. Included in the review session are the same detailed explanations for why each answer is right or wrong. •PROGRESS REPORTS• After completing each test your results are saved in the app's Progress Report section, where you can review previous scores and and a detailed history of each question and answer selection. You can also pause a partially-completed session, and resume it at a later time here. Also includes the new upgraded test prep supplement (figures and legends) from the FAA, with new high-resolution images.

Screenshots

Private Pilot Test Prep4 screens
Instrument Pilot Test Prep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Private Pilot Test Prep at 4.3 against Instrument Pilot Test Prep's 3.1. Private Pilot Test Prep also leads on review sentiment (82% vs 39%) and ratings volume (115 vs 16). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99 and Instrument Pilot Test Prep $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Private Pilot Test Prep holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Private Pilot Test Prep has 115 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Private Pilot Test Prep's written reviews are positive against 39% of Instrument Pilot Test Prep's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 4 months, Instrument Pilot Test Prep every 5 months. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Private Pilot Test Prep versus Instrument Pilot Test Prep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate Pilot Test PrepInstrument Pilot Test Prep
Price$14.99$14.99
Rating4.3 (115 ratings) — better3.1 (16 ratings)
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews — better39.3% of reviews
Number of ratings115 — better16
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#18 — better#191
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSporty's Pilot ShopSporty's Pilot Shop

Customer experience

Private Pilot Test Prep

All ratings115 ratings
Positive81.7%
Neutral5.2%
Negative13.0%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral6.2%
Negative12.3%

Instrument Pilot Test Prep

All ratings16 ratings
Positive43.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive39.3%
Neutral14.3%
Negative46.4%

Bugs and requests

Private Pilot Test Prep

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App crashes in test mode
  • Progress not saved on phone
  • Blackout bug when viewing figures or rotating screen
  • Crashes after deleting test sessions
  • Not updated for iPhone X
Show 1 more
  • Save function issues

Requested features

9 requests
  • Ability to save flagged questions across sessions
  • Randomized questions in test mode
  • Improved cross-device progress syncing (iCloud)
  • Interactive map features for practice
  • Search functionality for specific questions
Show 4 more
  • Dark mode option
  • Compatibility with iPhone X
  • More sample test questions from FAA
  • Bundle option for instrument written prep

Instrument Pilot Test Prep

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Private Pilot Test Prep

No in-app purchases

None

Instrument Pilot Test Prep

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Private Pilot Test Prep free?
Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Instrument Pilot Test Prep free?
Instrument Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Private Pilot Test Prep or Instrument Pilot Test Prep?
Private Pilot Test Prep is rated higher. Private Pilot Test Prep averages 4.3 out of 5 from 115 ratings, while Instrument Pilot Test Prep averages 3.1 from 16 ratings.
Do Private Pilot Test Prep or Instrument Pilot Test Prep have ads?
Neither Private Pilot Test Prep nor Instrument Pilot Test Prep shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Private Pilot Test Prep or Instrument Pilot Test Prep?
Private Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 4 months, and Instrument Pilot Test Prep every 5 months. Most recently, Private Pilot Test Prep was updated on September 21, 2026 and Instrument Pilot Test Prep on September 21, 2026.
Which is more popular, Private Pilot Test Prep or Instrument Pilot Test Prep?
Private Pilot Test Prep currently peaks at #18 in the App Store charts, and Instrument Pilot Test Prep at #191. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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